“Hi, my name is Chad Soileau and in March 2006 I weighed 464 pounds. 464 will always hold a special place in my heart because it was this number that made me realize that unless I made some drastic changes in my life I wasn’t going to be around in 5 years. I have since lost over 260 pounds and live a healthy active lifestyle by running, cycling, swimming, weightlifting and boxing on a daily basis”.CLICK HERE TO READ CHAD’S BIO AND THE BIRTH OF TEAM 464

“Sometimes when I look in the mirror I don’t recognize the person staring back at me. “Who is this skinny dude?”, I’ll ask myself.Well, it’s ME! For the first time in my life I can honestly say I am proud to be ME!”

“With the race clock flashing 5:30, those in the crowd waiting for their loved ones grew anxious. Included in that group were the family of first-time participant Chad Soileau, a 36-year old from Baton Rouge who weighed 464 pounds in 2006.”When Soileau, who had gastric bypass surgery in 2006 and now lives a healthier lifestyle, toed the line Sunday, he tipped the scale at 215 pounds — and was determined to finish the event — no matter what.As he ran down Sugar Bowl Drive and neared the finish at the Superdome, a roar came out that No. 464 — Soileau’s bib number — was in sight.Soileau, with tears streaming down his face, finished in 5:36:26.“They say, once you cross the finish line of a marathon, you change your life forever,” he said. “Well that’s true. It’s amazing. It was bout 10 times harder than I expected. The last 6 miles, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I hit the wall at about mile 18, but I did it.”“Thinking back the whole time I was running, about two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. It was worth every minute of my training. I could feel the support of the city, they drove me. And my family, I can’t say enough.”

Chad, keep up it up!

Here at Precision Bikes we applaud your efforts and accomplishments!!!

Your story has to be an incredible inspiration to anyone who comes across it!